Lorne,
I may have misunderstood, but I think you're using "Gather" incorrectly. Check the HELP for how the 'like' clause works. AFAIK, you can use a "Fields Like" clause which displays a skeleton "Fields like qt_*" However if you want to gather a set of records, "Where SENT = .T." then you'll have to do a SCAN/Endscan of the records updating them if desired.

HTH
Barbara

>I have a function run from a button, that for some reason does not do the sole table update called psuedo code:
>select messages
>scatter memvar
>&& a bunch of processing to send an email
>&& including two select statements
>&& Now tell the database this message has gone bye bye
>&& This appears to work in debugger
>select messages
>m.sent = .T.
>gather memvar like sent
>&& But browse the table after, and Sent = .F.
>I've tried UPDATE messages set sent = .T. where msgkey = lmsgkey
>same no result.
>While in the form, table messages has filter = sent = .f.
>While the form is open, sent does = .T. when I update it in the form, but once the form closes, it goes back to .F.
>Any suggestions or possible resolutions will be appreciated.